Hobbyhorse



Feb. 8, 1938. H. J. MARLOWE l 2,07,448

HOBBYHORSE Filed Sept. 20, 1935 INVENTOR HamZa'JMa/Jawe Patented Feb. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOBBYHORSE Harold Jay Marlowe, New Rochelle, N. Y.

Application September 20, 1935, Serial No. 41,388

19 Claims.

The present invention relates to an exercising toy of the type commonly designated as a hobby horse.

By the present invention, each and every one 5 of the various objects of my prior'Patent No.

1,992,127, dated February 19, 1935, is accomplished, by a more durable construction which yet involves a material simplification and elimination of parts, with corresponding reduction in weight and economy in cost.

The general objects which the present invention accomplishes in common with those of my prior patent, are to provide a device of the above character, which affords an amusing effect, including the desired complex, co'-ordinated realistic movement of head and seat, simulating a galloping action and speciiically, a combined forward and backward sliding movement of the seat and upward and downward pivoting movement concurrently with an advancing and dipping movement of the mounts head in alternations of approach and withdrawal relative to the moving seat.

Further in common with the prior invention, the present invention attains the result desired,

without resort to racks or pinions or other machine elements, which, aside from their cost are subject, on the one hand, to becoming jammed and on the other hand to the need for lubrication service. Furthermore, the inventions have in common, the feature of ready adjustment to the weight and height of the child and the fixed positioning of the device in use, without rocking or other movement of the base resting on the oor.

More specific objects of the present invention are to attain the above-action in an assemblage of parts made up entirely of simple links and rollers and of simple wooden boards, devoid of elongated slots or grooves and therefore inexpensive in construction and easily assembled.

Another object is to provide a device of the above type in which the linkage connections inherently serve as limiting stops for the sliding seat and pivoting advancing and dipping movement of the head, without the need for special stop'conformations for the purpose.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a view in longitudinal cross-section, partly in elevation, showing the device in one extreme position of movement in full lines and in the other extreme in dot and dash lines,

(Cl.v 272-52) Fig. 2 is a frontelevation of the device, with parts broken away,

Fig. 3 is a view in longitudinal cross-section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the forward end of the assembly shown in Fig. 1, illustrating the alternative adjustment of the counterbalance spring,

/Fig. 5 is a detail sectional View on a larger scale taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 6 is a sectional View with parts broken away, taken on line d-E of Fig. 5.

Referring now to the drawing, the device includes a support base or frame, which in the preferred embodiment includes a pair of parallel frame boards II and I2, resting at their ends respectively on a transverse base angle board I3 at the front and a similar angle board I4 at the rear of the device. A wooden spacer sleeve I5 intervenes between the frame boards II and I2 and is connected thereto by a cross pin I6 to render the structure more rigid.

A, main bar structure I1 extends between the two frame boards Ii and'i2 and is preferably of composite construction including a pair of identical side pieces I9 and 20 held rigidly together by three cross pins 2l, each surrounded by a spacer sleeve 22. Pin 2i' near the forward end of the main bar structure, projects at opposite ends for pivot mount of said structure in the frame boards II and I2.

Upon the main bar I1 is slidably mounted a seat structure. In a preferred embodiment, this structure comprises a seat proper 23 to the lower face of which is rigidly secured by screws or the like, the flange 2d of a metal iin 25, which extends downward into the space between side pieces I9 and 2li and between the middle and rear spacer sleeves 22. Through the 'upper part of the fin immediately below the seat, extend cross pins 26, each of which mounts a pair of rollers 21 at the opposite ends thereof. These rollers ride on the upper edges of the respective side pieces I9 and 20. Preferably, each roller has a iiange 28 which extends against the inner face of the corresponding side pieces, to assure riding of the seat along the sidev pieces. In a preferred embodiment, the 1in is generally triangular in form and has a similar pair of iianged rollers 2l' on a, cross pin 26' therethrough near the lower reduced end thereof, said flanged rollers riding along the lower edges of the respective side pieces I9 and 2li, which lower edges are parallel to the upper edges at the region along which the seat slides.

Preferably. the device includes a complemen` tarybar3lwhichlikethatofthemainbarmoves in a vertical plane, and ispivotcd as at 3l' to themainbarll. Thiscomplementarybar preferably includes ,In upwardly extending shank 3|, formed in the shape of an animals, illustratively a horses head or other equivalent structure, and extends between the two side pieces Ilandumakingupthemainbar.

'Iheframe il, I2 themainbar I1 andthecross bar 3l are preferably interlinked by a compound toggle structure which inclilies three links 32, 33 and 34 interconnected by a common floating pivot 3l. The outerend of link 32 is flxedly pivoted to the frame structure by a pin 33. Link 33 constitutes a metal bar extension' of the head shank 3l, whose pivot is the pin 33', while the outer end of link 3l is pivoted at 31 to the 1in 25 of the seat structure.

The forward cndofthemainbar I'Iisconnected by a counterbalancing coil spring 33 to the lower end of the frame. While any of a variety of constructions of spring may be used for this purpose. including that shown in my prior pat- 'ent above identified, I prefer the specic construction now to be described. 'Ihe lower end of the coil spring is connected by a screw 33 to a metal bar Il acrossthe lower edges of the frame boards Ii and I2, and extends obliquely as shown. The upper end of the coil spring is connectedbyalinkli toametal cross pin42 in the middle of a clevis 43. 'Ihe projecting ends M of pin l2 are urged by spring 33 against the upper edges of the side pieces i3 and 23 of the main bar. The upper end of the clevis has a cross pin 4I which may be conveniently grasped for adiustment. In the position shown in Fig. l, the tension of the spring maintains the ends u of the cross pin I2 against the upper edge of the main bar and in grooves I1 therein, in the setting for heavier children in the order of 80 to 100 pounds. In the alternative setting of Fig. 4, to which the device may be shifted bysimpiy pulling the pin forward, the spring 33 is less tensioned, and presses the cross pin 42 into the groove 41, ail'ording a counterbalance for children weighing in the order of 30 to 50 pounds.

Ihe device preferably has a pair of foot rests 43 and Il projecting from opposite faces of the frame structure. Preferably three adjustments are afforded in the position'of these foot rests de- 1 pending on the size of the child. For this purpose, three sets of apertures I, 52 and 53 at different levels are provided in the frame structure and the foot rest which constitutes a single rod 54 is selectively positioned as desired, in any of these sets of holes. Preferably, the foot rest rod is locked in place by a bayonet slot connection comprising a cross pin l5 through the foot rest rod and sheet metal cap structures 56 secured about each of the apertures 5i, 52 and 53 at one side of the frame bar, each provided with a notch 51 in its flange 53 for admitting the projecting end of the cross pin 55. Accordingly,

the foot rest, after insertion, is turned and l pressed, so that the projecting end of the pin after entering the slot passes and is locked under the flange 53.. Fixed to the rear edge of the horses head by metal straps 3l riveted as at il is a handle bar 62. ,Y

While the operation is apparent, it may be briefly noted that the child resting on the seat za places his feet on the foot 'rests 4s and 50,'

grasps the handle bar 62 and performs an up and down movement. On each downward movement, the main bar I1 moves to the podtion shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. l against the resistance of the coil spring 33 which is stressed in that operation. The seatis caused to slide backward and simultaneously therewith, the head 3| is caused to move with the pivoting movement of the main bar, and simultaneously to dip forward to the dotted line position. 'l'he slide of the seat is limited by the extension of the toggle made up of links 32 and 34 to the position shown in dot and dash lines, the common floating pivot of the compound toggle moving obliquely backward and downward in said cperation to the position shown in dot and dash lines. In the release or return movement, the spring 33 contracts, and thetension transmitted by link 33 breaks the toggle 32-34 and causesthe seat to slide forward as the main bar pivots upward, while the head 3| partakes of combined pivoting and rising return movement to the position shown in full lines, in which the toggle made upl of links 32 and 33 is substantially extended, to be then broken by tension transmitted through link 34 in the downward and seat sliding movement above described. The compound toggle made up of links 32, 33 and 34 thus acts as a limiting stop for the movement of the main bar i1, the seat 23 and the complementary bar or head 30. It is thus clear that as to the toggle made up of links 32 and 33, link 34 constitutes the setting means and as to the toggle made up of the links 32 and 34, link 33 constitutes the setting means.

The device thus affords desirable alterations of applied force in the downward stroke and of relaxation in the spring actuated return movement. 'I'he effect of the advancing and dipping movement of the head as the seat is simultaneously depressed and slid rearward, and the retracting rising movement ofthe head as the seat thereupon simultaneously rises and slides forward is, especially intriguing. 'I'he realism of the action, simulating the galloping movement of a horse is a source of pleasure both to the child using the device and to bystanders.

'I'he device has no mechanism apt to jam or get out of order, and operates without the need for attention in lubrication or otherwise. Nor are the wooden elements weakened by cam slots or grooves that would add to the expense. Nor are special abutments required or employed which would subject the user toimpact, the stoppage being gradual and substantially cushioned by the relation of the toggle links.

It is understood that the device could be embellished by concealing the links with more of the outline of the animal, by applying a. tail, saddles, and other .accoutrements, well within the range of mechanical skill and therefore not specifically shown.

' The device also lends itself for adaptation in other animal embodiments, and is not limited in its 4use to the home or play-yard, but could to advantage be used on merry-go-rounds, or simllar devices at amusement parks or picnic grounds.

It will thus be seen that there is herein described apparatus in which the several features of this invention are embodied, and which apparatus in its action attains the various objects of the invention and is well suited to meet the requirements of practical use.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and many apparently widely differentrembodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shownrln the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A hobby horse comprising a'support frame, a sliding seat, a moving head, and means interlinking said seat and said head with respect to said frame, said means including a toggle limiting the movement of one of said elements, said toggle having setting means rigid with the other of said elements.

2. A hobby horse comprising a support frame, a pivoting seat support, a seat slidable thereon, a movable handle structure, and a toggle link structure hinged at one extremity to said frame and at the other to said seat and serving to limit the combined pivoting and sliding movement of said seat, said toggle having setting means rigid with said handle structure.

3. A hobby horse comprising a support, a seat bar hinged to said support, resilient means yieldingly retaining said bar in upwardly pivoted relation, a seat slidable on said bar and a toggle hinged at one end to said support and at the other to said seat, said toggle when in substanstially set position limiting the stroke of said seat and a movable handle structure having toggle setting means rigid therewith.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a support frame, a bar longitudinally thereof and hinged thereto near the forward end thereof, a spring urging said bar to pivot upwardly, a seat slidably mounted on said bar, a toggle hinged at one end to said frame and at the other to said seat, and a link connecting the elbow of said toggle to said bar.

5. A hobby horse comprising a support frame, a pair of cross bars extending in a vertical plane and including a main bar pivoted near the for- Ward end of the frame, and having a seat. slidably mounted thereon and a complementary bar pivoted to said main bar and having an animal head at the upper end thereof, a toggle interlinked at its elbow to the lower end of said complementary bar and having the ends of its links hinged one to the frame and the other to the seat.

6. A hobby horse comprising a frame structure including a pair of upright panels in rigid spaced relation, a pair of cross bars extending in a vertical plane between said frames, and including a main bar, pivoted near the front of said frame and having a seat structure slidable thereon, a complementary bar pivoted to said main bar and having an upwardly extending animal head thereon and a shank extending downwardly therebelow, a toggle structure having the outer end of one link connected to said seat and the outer end of the other link connected to said frame, the lower end of said complementary bar and the elbow of said toggle being pivoted together between said side frames.

7. A hobby horse comprising a frame including a pair of side Walls rigidly secured in spaced relation, a main bar structure hingedly mounted near the forward end thereof between said side 'frames and comprising a pair of side pieces having spacers rigidly connecting them together, a seat slidably mounted on said main bar structure and having rollers therebelow resting on said structure, a complementary bar comprising an animal head protruding upwardly, said bar extending between the side pieces of said xmain bar structure and pivoted thereto and protruding downwardly therebelow, a4 toggle having its ends pivoted respectivelyV to said frame and to said seat structure, and a link pivotally connecting the elbow of said toggle to the lower extremity of said complementary bar.

8. A hobby horse comprising the combination of a frame, a main bar pivoted thereto near the forward end thereof and having a seat slidably mounted thereon, a compound toggle comprising three links radiating from a common floating pivot, the outer end of one of sai-d links pivoted to said frame, the outer end of another of said links pivoted to said main bar, and the outer end of the remaining link pivoted to said sliding seat, whereby said compound pivot serves to limit the upward and downward pivoting movement of the main bar and the forward and backward sliding movement of the seat.

9. In a hobby horse of the' type comprising a support frame, a main bar extending longitudinally and pivoted near the forward end thereof, a seat slidable thereon and a spring connecting the forward end of said main bar to said frame to counterbalance the lweight on the seat; the combination therewith of a compound toggle comprising three links oatingly pivoted together and having the outer ends thereof pivoted respectively to the frame, to the main bar and to the sliding seat structure.

10. In a hobby horse of the type comprising a support frame, a main bar extending longitudinally and pivoted near the forward end thereof, a seat slidable thereon and a spring connecting the forward end of said main bar to said frame to counterbalance the weight on the seat; the combination therewith of a compound toggle comprising three links oatingly pivoted together and having the outer ends thereof pivoted respectively to the frame, to the main bar and to the sliding seat structure, the link pivoted to the main bar having rigidly connected therewith an upstanding shank having anornamental head thereon.

11. In a hobby horse, the combination with a support frame of a main bar longitudinally thereof and pivoted near the forward end thereof, a sliding seat mounted thereon and a counterbalance spring connecting the bottom of said frame to the forward end of said main bar, a clevis having a cross pin mounting the upper end of said spring, said clevis pivoted at its lower end to said main bar and having an upper cross pin serving as a handle for adjustment of the position of said clevis, to be alternatively in one or the other of the two possible positions against said main bar for adjusting the tension of the spring to either of two alternative tension settings.

12. In a hobby horse, the combination of a support frame, a main bar pivoted near the forward end thereof, including two spaced rigidly connected side pieces, a clevis pivotally mounted pieces, spacers retaining them in 'rigid correlai5 tion, a sliding seat mounted thereon. and having a fin rigid therewith extending between said side pieces in the space between two of the spacers, said fin having pins therethrough with rollers thereon extending from opposite faces of the tins and riding on the upper edges of said side pieces and-each oi' said rollers having flangesextending between said pieces.

14. As an article of manufacture for a hobby horse, a main bar comprising a pair of side pieces, spacers retaining them ln rigid correlation, a sliding seat mounted thereon, and having a n rigid therewith extending between said side pieces in the space between two of the spacers, said n having three pins therethrough with rollers thereon extending from opposite faces of the fins, two riding on theupper edges of said side pieces and one riding on the lower edges of the side pieces, each o! said rollers having anges extending between said pieces.

15. In an apparatus of the character described, a frame structure, a seat supporting bar having a xed pivotal support on said frame structure, a handle supporting bar pivoted to said seat supporting bar, a link pivotally supported on said frame structure, pivotally connected to said handl supporting bar, and forming with part of said handle supporting bar a toggle for constraining the movement of said bars in opposed directions, and spring means for resisting the movement of said bars towards one extreme position, and for effecting the return movement of said bars towards their other extreme position.

16. In anapparatus of the character described, a framefstructure, a seat supporting bar having a fixed pivotal support on said frame structure, a handle supporting bar pivoted to said seat supporting bar, a link pivotally supported on said frame structure, and pivotally connected to said handle supporting bar at a section of said latter bar spaced from the pivotal connection betweensaid bars, said link forming with the portion of the handle supporting bar between said latter pivotal connection and said section a toggle position, and for eiecting the return movement oi' said bars toward their other extreme position.

17. In an apparatus ot the character described,l

a frame structure, a seat supporting bar` having a fixed pivotal support on said lframe structure, a handle supporting bar pivoted to said seat supporting bar, extending substantially upwardly from said seat supporting bar, and having its lower end extending a substantial distance below its pivotal connection to said seat supporting bar, a link pivotally supported at one end on said frame structure and pivotally connected at its other end to the lower end of said han le supporting bar, and spring means for resi ing the movement of said bars towards one extreme position, and for effecting the return mpvement of said bars toward their other extreme position.

18. In an apparatus oi the character described, a frame structure, a pair of bars, one having a xed pivotal support on said frame structure, and being pivotally connected to the other bar, a link pivotally supported on said frame structure, pivotally connected to said latter bar and forming with part of said latter bar a toggle for constraining the movement of said bars in opposed directions, spring means for resisting the movement of said bars towards one extreme position, and for eiecting the return movement of said bars toward their other extreme position, a handle connected to one of said bars, and a seat connected to the other bar. A

19. In a hobby horse, the combination with a support frame of a` main bar longitudinally thereof and pivoted near the forward end thereof, a-

seat mounted thereon, and a counterbalance spring connecting the bottom of said frame to the forward end of said main bar, a clevis having a cross pin mounting the upper end of said spring, said clevis pivoted at its lower end to said main bar and having an upper cross pin serving as a handle for adjustment of the position oisaid clevis, to be alternatively in one or the other oi' the two possible positions against said main bar for adjusting the tension of the spring to either of two alternative tension settings.

HAROLD JAY MARLOWE. 

